Billy McLaughlin is an acoustic guitarist, composer and producer from Minne… Read Full Bio ↴Billy McLaughlin is an acoustic guitarist, composer and producer from Minnesota, United States.
Billy McLaughlin graduated with honors from the University of Southern California. He now resides in his home state of Minnesota where he is raising his two boys.
While studying music at the University of Southern California, he became interested in the minimalist compositions of Phillip Glass and Steve Reich. Hearing recordings by guitarists Michael Hedges and Steve Tibbets, McLaughlin began composing for his first CD released on his own record label in 1986. Many of the compositions featured a technique using both hands on the fingerboard in which the notes are “tapped” in a series of hammer-ons and pull-offs creating a harp-like effect. The technique became McLaughlin’s stylistic signature and by the early 90s he was touring the US coast-to-coast.
In 1995, Narada/Virgin Records signed McLaughlin to a multi-album contract ending his string of seven self-released titles. Narada’s first release, Fingerdance, climbed to #7 on the Billboard’s New Age chart and was distributed world-wide.
By 2000, McLaughlin's skills on the guitar were severely degraded due a problems in one of his hands. He could no longer perform most of his own repertoire. Several months later Billy was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder called focal dystonia. Choosing to go against doctors’ recommendations to quit music and look for other work, McLaughlin focused on his songwriting and returned to his ensemble which was less demanding for his hands. McLaughlin began the unlikely journey of teaching himself to play in his signature style, left-handed. Warned by doctors of a higher likelihood for developing focal dystonia in his remaining good hand, McLaughlin chose to press on towards an ambitious goal he had yet to achieve – to perform and record a new project with a string orchestra.
In January 2007, McLaughlin published a limited release of Into the Light, a concert recording of compositions for acoustic guitar with string orchestra. This collaboration with Grammy nominated arranger, Eugenio Toussaint, is McLaughlin’s first as a left-handed guitarist. Into the Light will be released nationally in the Fall of 2007 accompanied by a companion concert DVD.
Billy McLaughlin graduated with honors from the University of Southern California. He now resides in his home state of Minnesota where he is raising his two boys.
While studying music at the University of Southern California, he became interested in the minimalist compositions of Phillip Glass and Steve Reich. Hearing recordings by guitarists Michael Hedges and Steve Tibbets, McLaughlin began composing for his first CD released on his own record label in 1986. Many of the compositions featured a technique using both hands on the fingerboard in which the notes are “tapped” in a series of hammer-ons and pull-offs creating a harp-like effect. The technique became McLaughlin’s stylistic signature and by the early 90s he was touring the US coast-to-coast.
In 1995, Narada/Virgin Records signed McLaughlin to a multi-album contract ending his string of seven self-released titles. Narada’s first release, Fingerdance, climbed to #7 on the Billboard’s New Age chart and was distributed world-wide.
By 2000, McLaughlin's skills on the guitar were severely degraded due a problems in one of his hands. He could no longer perform most of his own repertoire. Several months later Billy was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder called focal dystonia. Choosing to go against doctors’ recommendations to quit music and look for other work, McLaughlin focused on his songwriting and returned to his ensemble which was less demanding for his hands. McLaughlin began the unlikely journey of teaching himself to play in his signature style, left-handed. Warned by doctors of a higher likelihood for developing focal dystonia in his remaining good hand, McLaughlin chose to press on towards an ambitious goal he had yet to achieve – to perform and record a new project with a string orchestra.
In January 2007, McLaughlin published a limited release of Into the Light, a concert recording of compositions for acoustic guitar with string orchestra. This collaboration with Grammy nominated arranger, Eugenio Toussaint, is McLaughlin’s first as a left-handed guitarist. Into the Light will be released nationally in the Fall of 2007 accompanied by a companion concert DVD.
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Billy McLaughlin Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Billy McLaughlin:
All God's Children All God’s Children Lift Up Your Hands Lift Up Your…
An Old English Carol The world is old tonight – the world is old The…
Away In a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for His bed The little…
By My Spirit Long time in the dark Lost now, where to start? Lonely…
Crazy Love She's my crazy love lost and a little bit lonely It's…
Fingerdance Instrumental…
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen let nothing you dismay Remember …
Hey World Hey Girl I’ve been through so many close calls It doesn’t matter who…
Hold Me All I’m left to do is say my prayers at…
Open World Well I don’t wanna see my baby no no I don’t…
Or Did I Love Ya Oh I I can wonder How I spend my time For…
People Get Ready People get ready, there's a train comin' You don't need no…
Rob Me Rob me of my property Rob me of my security Rob me…
Safe Within the Storm Life can be taken away without reason without warning Innoce…
Some Men Walk At life below and above line Where I heard it said…
The Best of My Love Every night I'm lying in bed, Holdin' you close in my dreams…
The Bow And The Arrow Call her simple or maybe grounded She’s never searchin’ I gu…
This Is The Day We see so many questions in the faces here We hear…
What Child Is This What child is this who laid to rest On Mary's lap…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Syker
Totally awesome! Beautiful song!! Billy is totally awesome!
Ian Mitchell
First heard this on a compilation album when I was little. Been listening to Billy ever since.
Leon K
I love when it gets slow. I used to drive around to this track 10 years ago. Good memories. Thanks for your music.
W L
I first heard this song on 92 or 93 at Oklahoma State. His entire show was amazing. The next year, he returned, I brought a date. She got bored. We never dated again. I sti own and listen to Inhale Pink and Exhale Blue. Hope you're still writing spectacular music Billy.
Billy McLaughlin
Thanks so much WL! Only played OK-State those two times - glad someone remembers!!! More new music and podcasts on the way in 2023!
erik vallejos
una musica referente en mi vida, sin pensarlo, solo sintiendo, gracias billy, tus melodias sin inspiracion en mi mundo.
Giovanni Cifaldi
The best acoustic Song ever !!!
Paul Timmons
Hi Billy! Are you planning on coming to the Stillwater, Mn. area any time soon. I saw you there years ago and loved your performance!
Billy McLaughlin
Hi Paul!! Billy and SimpleGifts are playing at the Zephyr theater today (6/12) in Stillwater! Tickets available at billymclaughlin.com